Our latex foam mattresses on board were ready for replacement and we thought that Thailand, one of the biggest producers of latex rubber, would be the perfect place to get them. As we explored options in Phuket, it became apparent that prices were set for the tourist trade and not cost-effective at all for the custom shapes/sizes we needed. After a bit of research online, we found a factory in Pattani, on the east coast of Southern Thailand. We had a good feeling when emailing with them and decided to make a road trip out of it so we could select and cut our mattresses on site. 7 hours of driving and a slow, stressful, complex detour through the center of Trang (we missed the bypass road exit) we arrived and despite having a map, we couldn't find the PATEX factory. No one spoke English and Boonthan didn't mention in time that in their region phones and internet need to be registered locally or they won't work. This is due to the unrest in the area of Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysia. A faction of the population are wanting independence and have set off car bombs and even bombed schools. In fact, people in Pattani will not answer their mobile phones unless it is someone they know for fear of it setting off a bomb somewhere. The factory had been a target in the past. So we finally found someone at the post office who spoke English and called him for us. He retrieved us and brought us back to a place we passed but which had no signs whatsoever. A tiring start, but once we arrived, it was great! This is a factory and not a retail shop, so the fact that they allowed us to come visit and worked with us directly was really kind and we all enjoyed it. :)
We tested out various combinations of foam density and the PATEX team carried large sheets of foam into the meeting room and stacked them on the floor for us... that and a variety of pillows as well. Three of the pillows came back to the hotel that evening with us for test-driving, something that amused the hotel staff as they saw me entering with arms full of pillows.
Boonthan and his wife Pornpoon, owners of the factory (originally opened in 1955 by his father) are such lovely people... their hospitality was so gracious and we enjoyed being with them.
Boonthan and his wife Pornpoon, owners of the factory (originally opened in 1955 by his father) are such lovely people... their hospitality was so gracious and we enjoyed being with them.
We replaced all of our mattresses and made two trips to Pattani. We worked with the PATEX team to measure and cut all the complex angles and sizes one needs on a yacht, and they custom-sewed covers to our sizes. We would highly recommend PATEX foam to anyone, and especially to cruisers heading into Malaysia or Thailand. Thanks Boonthan! http://www.PATEXfoam.com
with Equanimity and Joy!
P.S. Okay, so really the very best souvenir would be an elephant, but since Equanimity is not of Ark proportions, we had to leave all the lovely Elies at the Elephant Nature Park, north of Chiang Mai
